Efficacy of rituximab in refractory polyarteritis nodosa: a case report.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic vasculitis affecting medium and small-sized vessels resulting in multiple organ involvement. Refractory PAN requires a different therapeutic approach. We herein report the case of a 42-year-old male presenting a non-virus-related refractory PAN with a favorable outcome on rituximab. He presented significant weight loss, muscle weakness, peripheral axonal neuropathy, and medium-sized cutaneous vessel necrotizing vasculitis. The patient received high-dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide with no significant clinical improvement while developing adverse side effects such as hypertension and diabetes. Rituximab was prescribed as an alternative therapy at 1000 mg on day 0 and day 15. This allowed for complete and rapid control of disease activity with regression of cutaneous injury and substantial improvement of neurological symptoms. In conclusion, using chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, although rarely reported in refractory non-virus-related PAN, may be an effective alternative therapy, as portrayed in our case.

Family medicine: attractiveness, constraints and prospects as perceived by residents of the specialty.

INTRODUCTION: Medical studies reform in Tunisia was conducted to upgrade general medicine, depreciated by the population and experienced by practitioners as a path of failure, thus elevated to the rank of family medicine (FM). AIM: To determine the factors of attractiveness of the FM, the prospects and career aspirations of future family physicians. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey by an anonymous questionnaire distributed via an online questionnaire platform from February 11th to April 13th, 2018 that targeted students in the 2nd year of FM at the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis. RESULTS: We included 68 students. The median age was 26 years. The sex ratio was 0.4. The initial reason for choosing FM was the short course leading up to doctoral degree in medicine in 81% of students. The main factors of attractiveness of the FM were the overall approach of the patient (59%), the richness and the variety of the discipline (57%) and the rich human contact (37%). The main training constraints were the imprecise status (85%), the absence of a college of FM (59%) and the insufficient training (50%). Forty-three students (63%) wanted to continue their career abroad. The main reasons for this exodus were the search for a better quality of life (98%), better working conditions (81%), better training and supervision (67%) and acceptable remuneration (41%). The main expectations of the students were personal and family development (69%), the possibility of exercising at best their job (66%) and acceptable remuneration (59%). CONCLUSION: Family medicine must have a defined status, an adapted curriculum, an should be attractive financially and scientifically.

Brucellosis, an uncommon cause of acute acalculous cholecystitis: two new cases and concise review.

Acalculous cholecystitis etiologies while numerous, some of them are less-known such as brucellosis. In this report, we elaborate the clinical findings, investigations and management of two female patients presenting acalculous cholecystitis in whom diagnosis of acute brucellosis was retained. Both patients had fever, asthenia and abdominal tenderness. Laboratory results showed evidence of inflammation as well as hepatic cytolysis while cholestasis was noted in one patient. In both cases, ultrasound study and CT confirmed the presence of acalculous cholecystitis. Serology (tube agglutination test) led to the diagnosis of brucellosis. Diagnosis of brucellosis-related acute cholecystitis was established in both cases based on imaging findings as well as serology without resorting to cholecystectomy. Favourable clinical response to specific antibiotic therapy further supported our diagnosis as well as our decision to avoid surgery. Although few cases have been reported, brucellosis must be considered as a cause of acalculous cholecystitis, especially in endemic countries.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a potential paraneoplastic presentation.

While autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is a well-known paraneoplastic syndrome in haematological malignancies, it has been described far less in solid tumours. We hereby report the case of a 61-year-old male patient presenting AIHA related to pancreatic cancer. Investigations excluded infectious, autoimmune and toxic causes of AIHA. CT of the abdomen highlighted the presence of hypodense, infiltrating mass of the tail of the pancreas measuring 70×37×36 mm, compatible with pancreas neoplasm. Histological examination of two associated nodular lesions of the liver showed metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The patient was started on corticosteroid without improvement of haemoglobin. Palliative chemotherapy was initiated; this led to significant improvement in haemoglobin comforting our diagnosis. This case illustrates the rare association between AIHA and pancreatic cancer. However, such association cannot be considered before excluding other, more frequent, aetiologies.

Deep vein thrombosis of the left arm revealing an asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculosis.

Although not frequent, thromboembolic events occurring in patient presenting tuberculosis may be observed. Frequency of such thromboembolic events seems correlated with the severity of tuberculosis. We herein report a case of venous thrombosis revealing an asymptomatic tuberculosis. A man aged 32 years was admitted for deep and superficial vein thrombosis of the left arm. Chest CT angiography ruled out pulmonary embolism and showed a mediastinal and pulmonary heterogeneous necrotic mass at the apical segment of the left lung. Histological study of a CT scan-guided pulmonary biopsy showed signs of caseating granuloma compatible with tuberculosis. Diagnosis of venous thrombosis due to pulmonary tuberculosis with lymph nodes involvement was made. Antituberculosis treatment was initiated and required an adjustment of anticoagulant therapy. Our observation highlights the possibility of causative effect between tuberculosis and venous thrombosis.

Gelatinous Transformation of Bone Marrow in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa: An Uncommon but Reversible Etiology.

BACKGROUND Anorexia nervosa is a relatively frequently encountered eating disorder. Beyond its psychiatric significance, it is associated with multiple hematological features such as cytopenia. It can be related to gelatinous transformation of the bone marrow. CASE REPORT We describe the case of a 20-year-old male admitted for rapid involuntarily weight loss. He presented with extreme bradycardia with a heart rate of 30 beats per minute with recent psychomotor impairment. Routine laboratory tests showed pancytopenia, and cytolysis on liver function tests. Cardiac investigations did not reveal abnormalities except for sinus bradycardia. Bone marrow aspirate revealed hypo-cellular marrow with infiltration by gelatinous substance. In addition, bone marrow biopsy showed fat cell atrophy along with loss of hematopoietic elements in areas of gelatinous transformation. During the patient's hospital stay, he had a restrictive oral diet. Thus, after consulting with a psychiatric specialist, a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa complicated with gelatinous transformation of bone marrow, bradycardia, and acute hepatitis was made. After psychiatric treatment and nutritional care, the patient regained weight, had a normal heart rate and normal liver function tests, and his full blood count and bone marrow examination were within normal range. CONCLUSIONS Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow can be the revealing feature of anorexia nervosa and some potentially reversible associations might prove life threatening if misdiagnosed. Furthermore, lack of suspicion can lead to unwarranted investigations increasing the cost incurred in healthcare delivery. Our patient had 3 systems involved: cardiac, hepatic, and hematological systems. Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow, although a rare condition, must be considered in such patients.

Three scenarios of nasal obstruction revealing sarcoidosis.

The nasal location of sarcoidosis is rare. In this regard, we report three observations of sarcoidosis observed in three women with an average age of 53.6 years, revealed by annoying nasal manifestations. The presence of extra-nasal sites allowed us to suspect the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in all the patients.

Interstitial Cystitis: An uncommon revelation in primitive Sjögren syndrome.

Interstitial cystitis is an exceptional entity during primary Sjögren's syndrome. In this regard, we report the case of a 67-year-old patient in whom initially idiopathic interstitial cystitis revealed primary Sjögren's syndrome after 5 years of evolution in front of xerostomiaa, xerophtalmia and bilateral parotid hypertrophy with histological confirmation at the biopsy of accessory salivary glands.

Septic sacroiliitis revealing an infectious endocarditis.

We report the case of a 43-year-old man admitted for right hip ache and fever. Physical examination revealed a fever, an ache at the manipulation of the sacroiliac joint and a limitation of abduction and external rotation of the right hip. There was no murmur in cardiac auscultation. No anomaly was found at the conventional radiographs of the sacroiliac joint, while the pelvic MRI confirmed a right sacroiliitis. A sacroiliac puncture with a study of synovial fluid demonstrated the presence of Streptococcus viridans. The blood culture revealed the same germ. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed infectious endocarditis with vegetation in the mitral valve. He received penicillin G and gentamicin relayed by pristinamycin because of an allergy to penicillin G with a total duration of treatment of 40 days. His symptoms and the laboratory and radiological tests abnormalities resolved totally with no recurrence.